A 67-year-old female complains of crampy abdominal pain with diarrhea and mucus in stool. Which action should you take?

• A. Collect a stool sample for the emergency department
• B. Transport her in a position of comfort
• C. Administer an antiemetic
• D. Administer oxygen by nasal cannula

Answer: (B)

The main idea is to provide comfort and rapid transport when an older patient presents with abdominal cramping and GI symptoms. Positioning the patient in a position of comfort helps reduce abdominal wall tension and diaphragmatic effort, which can lessen pain and make it easier to assess and monitor during transport. In the field, the priority is getting her to definitive care promptly; collecting a stool sample in the ambulance or giving medications like antiemetics or oxygen is appropriate only if indicated by current symptoms (not clearly needed here) and can delay transport. Therefore, placing her in a comfortable position and moving toward transport is the most appropriate action.